Essentials for toolkit in the car

[bmwohio]

I tried a search and didn't find anything.

Looking for the basics in a toolkit to keep in the trunk of the car for my car and my wife's.

Please chime in or link me to thread please.

Thanks!!

 

[metaleltr]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149143
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117518

Here's a couple.
Think of roadside auto repair as a test. When preparing for a test you study what you anticipate to be on the test. You want to design you tool kit to answer any questions you may encounter. You also have to factor in at what point you tow it somewhere as opposed to fixing it on the side of the highway.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

xtra fuel,cables,hand tools,cell phone,jack,lug wrench

 

[bmwohio]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149143
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117518

Here's a couple.
Think of roadside auto repair as a test. When preparing for a test you study what you anticipate to be on the test. You want to design you tool kit to answer any questions you may encounter. You also have to factor in at what point you tow it somewhere as opposed to fixing it on the side of the highway.

Just the threads I was looking for, thanks. Interesting analogy with the test.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Breaker bar, stubby extension, socket for lug nuts. Forget using regular lug wrenches, and I've broken more 4-ways than I care to think about.

Whatever tools are required to replace a drive belt. Bonus points for carrying a belt(s), so you know you'll never need any of this!

One of those cheap, tiny hydraulic floor jacks. I hate using scissor jacks, unless they're the awesome kind with a 19mm hex drive instead of the hook.

I use a 5/16" plug socket for the spare winch on GMs/Chryslers... but I'd probably deal with the jack handle out on the road. And of course jumper cables, and a Leatherman. Honestly, how much more are you going to fix without having the parts? Hell, even the belt is unlikely to break unless you neglect it, or something locks up.

 

[senlow]

Forget using regular lug wrenches, and I've broken more 4-ways than I care to think about.

Not all 4-ways are created equally. The 4-way wrenches with a welded center are often weak. However, the 4-ways with forged centers are much stronger. You should not be able to braek a 4-way with a forged center (unless a huge cheater bar is used on it).

 

[KnurledNut]

didnt see these mentioned:
battery post cleaner
mini fuse kit

 

[dede2897234]

I created a tool road repair kit that is contained in a duffel bag, a Craftsman 12" tool bag, a Craftsman hand tool carrier, and 2 cardboard boxes. Here is the list:

duffel bag

- 1 $15 Mack Trucks (Chinese) 2 ton baby jack
- 1 OTC 24" curved pry bar
- 1 wood block for jack
- pair of gel knee pads
- 1/2" drive beam torque wrench

Craftsman 12" tool bag

- Streamlight Survivor 3 watt Luxeon single bulb flashlight
- OEM brand (AutoZone) plastic push pin removal tool
- Lisle model# 23000 hose pincher tool
- Tool Aid model# 13820 hose puller tool set
- Craftsman miniature plier (Chinese)
- Channlellock model# 440, 12 inch tongue and groove plier
- Knipex linesman plier, Autoloader screwdriver Autoloader 30 piece screwdriver bit set; Husky multi-bit, mini screwdriver; tire pressure air gauge, Craftsman extendable magnetic retriever; various Irwin Vise-Grip locking pliers

Craftsman hand tool carrier

- J.H. Williams 8" adjustable wrench
- super short sockets and crowfoot wrenches from a KD model# 3414 serpentine belt tool set
- Craftsman 3/8" drive universal joint
- Craftsman 5 piece, model# 42170, metric (7,8,9,10,12,13,14,15,19,21mm) ratcheting dogbone wrenches
- Gearwrench 2 piece, metric (13,14,15,17mm) ratcheting S-shaped wrenches
- Ko-ken 3/8" drive, metric (8,10,11,12,13,14,17,19) mid-depth socket set on a rail
- Ko-ken 3/8" drive, flexible shaft socket extension
- 1 long, untwisted coat hanger
- 1 claw type, flexible parts retriever
- 1 15" long, 1/2" drive, flex head breaker bar
- 1 1/4" drive, Gearwrench socket and ratchet set in blow-mold case
- 1 3/8" drive, Gearwrench socket and ratchet set in blow-mold case
- 1 Toptul metric (10-19mm) Dynamic short combination wrench set
- 1 Blackhawk metric (10-19mm) flare nut wrench set
- 1 Gearwrench "Double X" straight and curved nose long reach plier set (model#'s 82005 and 82006 in set)
- 1 Wiss metal cutting, multi-material scissors
- 1 1/2" drive, 3/4" deep socket for lugnuts
- 1 3/8" drive, 5/8" spark plug socket
- 1 Nupla stubby dead blow hammer; model# 10714 "Thumper" handless hammer
- 1 brass hammer
- safety glasses
- Irwin retractable razor knife
- set of brass and stainless steel brushes
- 1/4" and 3/8" drive socket drive adapters
- 1 15" inch long iron pipe for leverage

cardboard box

- pair of in-ear, foam ear plugs
- dust mask
- car repair manual
- 1 roll of shop towels
- package of nitrile gloves
- zip-lock bag containing zip ties, duct tape, electrical tape, rubber hose repair tape, home repair tape that binds to itself; IPCOL P-80 Thix Temporary Rubber Lubricant Gel to ease installation of new rubber hoses (free samples can be ordered here: http://www.ipcol.com/shopcontent.asp?type=requestsample; mention you are associated with a business; IPCOL does not mail out samples or sell products to individuals); long double-headed cotton swabs for electronic applications (used to apply IPCOL to the inside of a rubber hose)
- ratcheting hose cutter
- Craftsman 3/8" drive external Torx socket set on plastic rail
- Craftsman 3/8" drive, 2 piece, hex bit socket set on plastic rail
- Kobalt 3/8" drive, 2 piece, internal Torx bit socket set on plastic rail
- automotive fuse set, tire valve caps; batteries for garage opener and keyless entry remote

cardboard box 2

- 1 gallon of Peak 50/50 "ready to use" antifreeze
- 1 quart of oil
- 1 Kroil rust penetrant spray
- 1 CRC electronic contact cleaner spray
- 1 bottle of 91% rubbing alcohol

loose in trunk

- Toptul metric (10-24mm), standard length, combination wrench set in metal case
- Coleman 12 volt, single halogen bulb portable light (powered by battery booster)
- 1 K&K Jump-N-Carry battery booster
- 1 BonAire 12 volt, mini electric air compressor kit (powered by battery booster)
- plastic bag containing old radiator and serpentine belt hoses from current vehicles
- first aid kit
- cloth blanket
- large plastic sheet

Dave

 

[96snma]

^ that is so much stuff. What are you planning to do change out the engine on the side of the road. That would take up most of a sedans trunk and almost a truck tool box; where do you put the luggage.

I carry enough basic tools like 6in1 screwdriver and adjustable wrenches in an ammo box but without the part what do you plan to do on the side of the road. If I need to but out a flare nut wrench or dead blow on the side of the road its time for a tow. Now if youre going into the bush in alaska for a week thats more of an appropriate list. I think whats more important is the things you need if you have to spend the night in your car (one of those red bag kits)

A well stocked first aid kit with a cpr mask is number one. Followed by: car cell charger, blanket, boosters, matches, flashlight, gloves, toque and a tow rope with needed shackles

 

[Chadwilliam1]

nothing other than what came with it and a wind up flashlight.

 

[ryan t]

I keep a craftsman 150 piece tool kit with about 30 extra wrenches and screwdrivers in it. I also keep a toolbox with a 2 large pairs of channel locks, tire plug kit, tow chain, ratchet straps, flashlight, jumper cables, rope, pry bars, hammer, antifreeze tester, cigarette lighter powered air pump, gloves, anti-seize, and a knife. I also keep a cordless drill in the truck with drill bits and driver bits but that is more for around the home use.

 

[bert.]

paid up RACV total care and a mobile phone to call them. i'm not sure what the american version is?

 

[Kaervak]

Here's what's in the trunk of my car in a plastic tub:

1 gallon of coolant
1 quart of oil
1 quart transmission oil/power steering oil
12V air compressor
tire pressure gauge
jumper cables
tire plug kit
junkyard tool bag, which has the following (nearly everything is craftsman stuff and US made too ):
3/8" drive metric shallow sockets from 10MM to 18MM, 10MM, 12MM & 13MM 3/8" drive deep sockets, 3" 3/8" extension, 3/8" drive ratchet and 3/8" breaker bar.
1/4" drive metric shallow sockets from 5MM to 13MM, 10MM 1/4" drive deep socket, 1.5" 1/4" extension, 1/4" drive ratchet and 1/4" drive breaker bar.
8 piece screwdriver set (four flat and four phillips of various sizes)
8 piece 12pt metric combination wrench set from 6MM to 14MM
10R Vise grips
Stanley 99A utility knife
the only foreign hand tool: an eastwood 10MM ratcheting wrench.
nitrile gloves
cheapo HF multimeter


What I have in the center armrest/console:
LED flashlight
Pen and pad of paper, an incredibly valuable tool that a lot of people forget about.


In the glove box:
Multi-compartment plastic container with:
Torx multibit driver T6-T15
Phillips/Flat multibit driver
extra fuses and bulbs
lighter, another incredibly useful tool people forget about
a craftsman insulated 5/16" GM side-post battery terminal ratcheting wrench
powdered graphite for keeping the locks happy


Probably something I'm forgetting. Yeah it's overkill but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

 

[JKady]

What I keep in the bed box of my truck. All of the tool/repair portion of this fits in an older Craftsman hand carry box circa 1965. The chains/bungees/fluids sit in the box along with my truck gun, bug out bag and some other misc bs.

-$30 Stanley socket/ratchet set from Walmart
-Mid size ball-peen hammer
-Combo wrench for the most common sizes of fastener on the truck
-Diamond "Diamalloy" adjustable wrench
-Channelock 420 pliers
-Tin Snips
-Wire strippers
-**** connectors
-Duct tape
-1 quart oil
-1 gallon coolant
-Tow chains/Chain binder/bungee cords/straps etc...

 

[FlatBlackBlaze]

Onstar.

 

[richfinn]

1. an ignition coil (unless its diesel)
2. aux drive belt (and tools to change)
3. liquid radiator sealer (awesome stuff)
4. chemical metal for patching stuff up
5. oil/fluids for that vehicle
6. spare tyre/tools for changing/tyre plug kit just in case
7. replacement bulbs/reel of wire/DVOM/temporary connectors/fuses/OBD2 code reader

You dont need lots of tools, take exactly what tools you need to change the parts you carry anything else is surplus. Take out some breakdown cover as an extra precaution.

 

[NCAudi]

In addition to the tools and parts mentioned above, I've started to keep a "Get Home Bag" in the car. First heard about the idea from http://lewrockwell.com/spl4/get-home-bag.html

Basically it's everything that you would need to get back home on foot, if your car were to break down or get stuck at work.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Not all 4-ways are created equally. The 4-way wrenches with a welded center are often weak. However, the 4-ways with forged centers are much stronger. You should not be able to braek a 4-way with a forged center (unless a huge cheater bar is used on it).

I always end up splitting the socket, even without a cheater.

Plus with a 4-way, you usually have to spin the wheel to speed at least some of the lug nuts off because of ground clearance. I do like being able to break the lug loose, straighten the bar, and speed it off easily. Pawn shop CM is my go-to for stuff like this.

 

[JeremyManning]

stuff for building a fire if you don't get cell reception

 

[hickmlg09]

I keep random things is my jeep. Over the years I have got a few things I keep in jeep. Like oil, transmission fluid, Jumper cables, coolant, ect.

 

[85camaro]

As far as tools in the car, this is where I actually carry some of those gimmick tools such as the bionic wrench, gator socket, and a dog bone wrench.

 

[whitetrash1]

Pliers
Jumper cables

That's it really. I don't travel far so if I were to breakdown the worst walk I would have is about 20 miles. My sister also lives within that area so I could just make a call and tow it home. I'd rather do that then chance getting hit by some one on the side of the road